Heloise: Restrooms need hooks

Dear Readers: Here is this week’s sound off, about public rest rooms and door hooks:

“It really ticks me off when I go into a public rest room and there’s no hook on the door. Sometimes the hook has been removed because of someone stealing a purse. The hook should be reinstalled in the middle of the door so that no one can reach over and grab a purse. I have to set my purse on the nasty floor — yuck! — then risk someone reaching under the door and grabbing it. — Linda in Tupelo, Miss.”

I hear you! I travel a lot and am all too familiar with public restrooms.

Yes, there should be a hook in the middle of the door. However, the chances of someone reaching over and grabbing a purse, or reaching under and taking it, are pretty small.

If the strap is long enough, you can hang it around your neck. If the purse must go on the floor (yuck is right!), you can put your foot through the strap.

Comments, ladies? — Heloise

Dear Readers: Here are other uses for bandanas:

■ Use as a handkerchief.

■ Make into a homemade eye mask.

■ Use as a baby bib, in a pinch. —Heloise

Dear Heloise: During the winter months, I would like to add something to my coffee to make it special for the holidays. I seem to recall that you had a recipe? — A.C., via email

It’s tasty, easy to make and cheap. Heloise’s Spiced Coffee is perfect during the holidays.

■ 1 cup instant coffee powder

■ 4 teaspoons dehydrated lemon peel

■ 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

■ 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Once mixed, store in a sealed container.

When ready for some, put a heaping teaspoon into a cup and add 6 to 8 ounces of boiling water. Stir and enjoy!

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 210-HELOISE or email it to heloise@heloise.com.